Ages 9-12
Stories suggested for ages 9–12, with longer journeys, competing motives and difficult choices. Some contain frightening scenes or violence described in the page’s guidance. These age suggestions support selection and discussion; they do not make every traditional story equally suitable for every reader.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Old Dschang
A poor old gardener pays a huge bride-price for an official’s daughter, and years later her brother finds the couple living as immortals in the hills.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Old Dragonbeard
A runaway fan-bearer and the hero Li Dsing befriend curly-bearded Dragonbeard, who sees the Prince of Tang will rule and gives them his fortune.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
King Mu of Dschou
A magician from the far West carries King Mu on a spirit journey that lasts decades in a moment, and the king later visits the Queen-Mother of the West.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
How the Five Ancients Became Men
Five elemental Ancients shape heaven and earth from chaos, make plants, beasts, and people, and crown the White Jade Ruler as the highest god.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
How Molo Stole the Lovely Rose-Red
A young man cannot read a palace girl’s secret finger signs, but his old servant Molo, a flying sword hero, can, and rescues her over ten walls.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Dschang Liang
After a failed ambush on the First Emperor, Dschang Liang fetches an old man’s shoe, passes a test of patience, and receives a book of hidden wisdom.
Chinese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
A Legend of Confucius
A magical Kilin foretells the greatness of Confucius, and centuries later a proud emperor who opens the sage’s tomb finds a warning waiting.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Baba Yaga
Sent to a witch by their stepmother, orphan twins remember their grandmother's advice, share food with every creature, and escape with a towel and comb.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Woe Bogotir
A poor man picks up a ragged spirit called Bitter Woe who rides on his shoulders and drinks away his goods, until he tricks Woe into a pit full of gold.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Language of the Birds
When a nightingale foretells that his father will serve him, a merchant's son is cast adrift, and his gift for bird talk saves a ship and wins a princess.
Russian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Tsarevna Frog
Forced to marry the frog who caught his arrow, Ivan finds she is the wise Vassilissa, but burning her skin too soon sends him on a quest against Kostshei.
Japanese Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
How an Old Man Lost His Wen
An old man's dance wins favor at a demons' feast and removes his facial lump; a neighbor's attempt to repeat the success has a different result.